A Level Art, Craft and Design (Fine Art, Textiles, Graphics, 3D & Product Engineering, Photography)

This course is for students interested in any of the following: Art, Textiles, Photography, Graphic Design, 3D Design/Product Design/Engineering

Create. Explore. Experiment. Discover.

A Level Art, Craft & Design is much more than learning how to draw, paint or make things. It is an exciting journey of creative discovery that encourages you to explore the world around you, question how and why things are made, and understand the power of creativity to communicate ideas, solve problems and shape the environments we live in.

From the products we use every day and the buildings we admire, to the clothes we wear, films we watch and spaces we experience, art and design influences almost every aspect of modern life. Throughout the course, you will investigate how artists, designers and makers respond to social issues, cultural influences, technological developments and personal experiences, using both functional and aesthetic design to create meaningful outcomes.

You will learn how to transform an initial spark of inspiration into a fully realised outcome through a process of research, experimentation, refinement and making. Creative journeys rarely follow a straight path, and students are encouraged to embrace unexpected discoveries, take creative risks and learn from mistakes. Often, the most innovative ideas emerge from experimentation and the courage to explore the unknown. This course celebrates curiosity, individuality and creative thinking, helping students develop confidence in their own unique artistic voice.

Students will explore a range of creative disciplines and may develop projects within areas such as:

Fine Art

Drawing and Illustration

Painting

Printmaking

Mixed Media

Sculpture

Installation Art

Contemporary and Experimental Practices

Photography

Portrait Photography

Fashion Photography

Documentary Photography

Landscape Photography

Studio Photography

Digital Editing

Experimental Imagery

Moving Image and Visual Storytelling

Textile Design

Fashion Design

Garment Construction

Surface Pattern Design

Textile Printing and Dyeing

Embroidery and Embellishment

Sustainable Textiles

Interior Textiles

Textile Art and Mixed Media Practices

Three-Dimensional Design

Product Design

Jewellery Design

Interior Design

Architectural Concepts

Model Making

Theatre, Television and Film Set Design

Exhibition Design

Environmental Design

Sculpture and Constructed Forms

Graphic Communication

Branding and Identity Design

Illustration

Advertising

Packaging Design

Typography

Digital Media

Visual Communication

Students are encouraged to develop projects that genuinely inspire them, allowing them to pursue their interests and specialise within their chosen creative pathway.

Personal Investigation—60% of A Level

Externally set assignment—40% of A Level

If you are naturally inquisitive, imaginative and enjoy exploring ideas, this course offers an exciting opportunity to develop your creativity within a supportive and inspiring environment.

Art and Design is a subject that rewards independence. As your confidence grows, you will increasingly take ownership of your creative direction by selecting themes that interest you, researching artists and designers, managing long-term projects and developing highly personal outcomes. This makes the course particularly suited to students who enjoy working independently, thinking creatively and exploring their own ideas in depth.

Alongside specialist creative skills, you will develop a highly transferable skillset that is valued across a huge range of university courses and careers, including:

Creative and critical thinking

Independent learning and project management

Research and analytical skills

Innovation and problem-solving

Communication and presentation skills

Resilience and adaptability

Reflection and evaluation

Confidence in generating and developing original ideas

These qualities are highly sought after not only within the creative industries, but also in fields such as architecture, engineering, marketing, business, education, psychology, media, entrepreneurship and product development. Universities and employers increasingly value individuals who can think creatively, work independently, solve complex problems and communicate ideas effectively.

Facilities

One of the greatest strengths of this course is access to exceptional facilities that allow students to work in ways that closely reflect university and industry practice.

Students benefit from:

A dedicated Sixth Form Art & Design study space within ADT

Independent studio access for coursework and portfolio development

Professional photography studio facilities

DSLR cameras and photographic equipment

Specialist textile workshops

Sewing, construction and embellishment equipment

Textile printing and surface design facilities

Laser cutting and prototyping technology

Design workshop facilities for creating ambitious 3D outcomes

Resources to support projects in architecture, interiors, product design, jewellery design and set design

A vibrant creative environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration and innovation

These facilities provide students with the opportunity to realise ambitious ideas and create professional-quality outcomes while developing specialist technical skills.

General entry requirements of 5 GCSE grades at grade 4 or above. A grade 5 in a Design subject is essential, where a design subject has not been taken for GCSE, a portfolio submission is required for assessment by the Head of Art and Design.

This course can lead to a huge range of creative degrees and careers, including:

Fine Art

Illustration

Graphic Design

Photography

Fashion Design

Textile Design

Interior Design

Architecture

Product Design

Jewellery Design

Theatre and Set Design

Film and Television Production Design

Animation and Visual Effects

Creative Media

Advertising and Branding

Exhibition Design

Art Foundation Programmes

The skills developed throughout the course are equally valuable in many non-artistic pathways, including:

Business and Entrepreneurship

Marketing and Communications

Project Management

Teaching and Education

Psychology and Art Therapy

Engineering and Innovation

Event Management

Product Development

Digital Media and Content Creation

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Access to specialist facilities beyond lesson time

Dedicated portfolio development and support sessions

After-school workshops and masterclasses

Gallery, museum and exhibition visits

University and creative industry experiences

Opportunities to exhibit work within school and the wider community

Support with portfolio preparation and higher education applications

Independent project development within the Sixth Form studio

Opportunities to mentor younger students and share creative expertise